Optical Intersatellite Link (OISL)
The laser-based crosslinks that turn Starlink into a mesh, anchor the SDA Transport Layer, and just made their GPS debut on GPS III SV10 - quietly rewriting how data moves through space.
COSMOS 970 DEB (12868)
COSPAR: 1977-121AW | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-970
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 21, 1977
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC90
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12868
International Designator
1977-121AW
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:41:13 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
65.76°
Right Ascension
158.76°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
80.70°
Period
104.72 min
Mean Motion
13.75 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 970 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-970
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
PKO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12868U 77121AW 26185.11196132 .00000793 00000-0 90541-3 0 9990
2 12868 65.7617 158.7620 0046959 80.7003 45.4387 13.75098884414327
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.008
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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